Twelve types of nicotinic receptor subunits, α2 through 10 and β2 through 4, combine to form pentamers. The subunits are somewhat similar to one another, especially in the hydrophobic regions. At the neuromuscular junction, the two α subunits of the nAChR are combined with up to four other subunits (β,γ,δ,ε) in the ratio 2α:β:ε:δ.[2][3][6][1] The neuronal forms are much more homogeneous, and are made up of only receptor subunit types (α and β) present in a ratio of 3α:2β. The neuronal forms also differ from the muscle forms in that they are not sensitive to α-bungarotoxin.[1]

The acetylcholine binding site is on the outside of the α subunit near the N terminus.[2] When an agonist binds to the site, the α subunits become more similar to the other subunits, the channel becomes more symmetrical,[7] and a pore with a diameter of about 0.65 nm opens.[2]

Nicotinic AChRs may exist in different interconvertible conformational states. Binding of an agonist stabilizes the open and desensitised states. Opening of the channel allows positively charged ions to move across it, in particular, sodium and potassium, to enter the cell.

The nAChR is a non-selective cation channel, meaning that several different positively charged ions can cross through.[1] It is permeable to Na+ and K+, with some subunit combinations that are also permeable to Ca2+.[2] The amount of sodium and potassium the channels allow through their pores (their conductance) varies from 50-110 pS, with the conductance depending on the specific subunit composition as well as the permeant ion.[8]

Interestingly, because some neuronal nAChRs are permeable to Ca2+, they can affect the release of other neurotransmitters.[3] The channel usually opens rapidly and tends to remain open until the agonistdiffuses away, which usually takes about 1 millisecond.[2] However, AChRs can sometimes open with only one agonist bound and in rare cases with no agonist bound, and they can close spontaneously even when ACh is bound. Therefore, ACh binding only creates a probability of pore opening, which increases as more ACh binds.[7]

Ligand-bound desensitization of receptors was first characterized by Katz and Thesleff in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor[9]

Prolonged or repeat exposure to a stimulus often results in decreased responsiveness of that receptor for a stimulus. nAChR function can be modulated by phosphorylation[10] by the activation of second messenger-dependent protein kinases. Phosphorylation of the nAChR by PKA[9] and PKC[11] have been shown to phosphorylate nAChR resulting in its desensitization. It has been reported that after prolonged receptor exposure to the agonist, the agonist itself causes an agonist-induced conformational change in the receptor, resulting in receptor desensitization.[12] This receptor desensitization has been previously modeled in the context of a two-state mathematical model (see this link [1])

The subunits of the nicotinic receptors belong to a multigene family (17 members in human) and the assembly of combinations of subunits results in a large number of different receptors (For more information see the Ligand-Gated Ion Channel database). These receptors, with highly variable kinetic, electrophysiological and pharmacological properties, respond differently to nicotine, at very different effective concentrations. This functional diversity allows them to take part in two major types of neurotransmission. Classical synaptic transmission (wiring transmission) involves the release of high concentrations of neurotransmitter, acting on immediately neighbouring receptors. In contrast, paracrine transmission (volume transmission) involves neurotransmitters released by synaptic buttons, which then diffuse through the extra-cellular medium until they reach their receptors, which may be distant. Nicotinic receptors can also be found in different synaptic locations, for example the muscle nicotinic receptor always functions post-synaptically. The neuronal forms of the receptor can be found both post-synaptically (involved in classical neurotransmission) and pre-synaptically [13] where they can influence the release of multiple neurotransmitters.

To date 17 nAChR subunits have been identified, these are divided into muscle-type and neuronal-type subunits. Of these 17 subunits, α2-α7 and β2-β4 have been cloned in humans, the remaining genes identified in chick and rat genomes.[14]

The nAChR subunits have been divided into 4 subfamilies (I-IV) based on similarities in protein sequence.[15] In addition, subfamily III has been further divided into 3 tribes.

Nicotinic receptors are pentamers of these subunits, i.e. each receptor contains five subunits. Thus, there is an immense potential of variation of the aforementioned subunits. However, some of them are more notable than others, specifically (α1)2β1δε (muscle type), (α3)2(β4)3 (ganglion type), (α4)2(β2)3 (CNS type) and (α7)5 (another CNS type).[16] A comparison follows: